Collapsible Storage Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved storage box, such as a children&#39;s toy box, allows quick, easy, tidy recollection of the items stored in the box after use of the items. The box itself in some versions is collapsible for easy and space-efficient storage of the box when it is not in use to store items. The storage box has five or more panels forming at least four side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one or more of the side walls are releasable walls, each held in place by one or more releasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wall to release from the other walls when the one or more attachment mechanisms are released. The box also includes a flexible mat anchored to at least one of the walls and configured to (1) extend outward from the box and onto a surface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasable walls are released and (2) return into the box when the one or more releasable walls are reattached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible storage apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Storage containers, such as storage boxes, often contain items that anowner or user of the items wants to remove from the container, use forsome period of time, and then return to the container. Children, forexample, routinely play with toys that, when not in use, are stored inboxes (often called “toy boxes”) and are notorious for removing toysfrom the boxes in an unruly manner, tossing the toys from the boxes orupending the boxes entirely, spilling the contents onto the floor or theplaying surfaces on which the boxes rest. The task of cleaning upscattered items, toys or otherwise, requires time, effort, energy, andtedious repetition. With children's toys in particular, but with otheritems as well (such as, for example, socks or other items of clothingthat are also often stored in boxes), cleaning up the strewn-about messis frustrating and often exhausting in its repetition for those chargedwith the task.

Storage containers such as toy boxes also remain just that—storageboxes—even when not in use for the storage of items. The result is that,even when empty, the containers occupy the same amount of space as theydo when they're full. An empty toy box remains a toy box and occupiesspace in the room where it sits even when it is no longer storing toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described here is a storage box, such as a children's toy box, thatallows quick, easy, tidy recollection of the items stored in the boxafter use of the items and that, in some embodiments, is itselfcollapsible for easy and space-efficient storage when not in use tostore items. The storage box has five or more panels forming at leastfour side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one or more of theside walls are releasable walls, each held in place by one or morereleasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wall torelease from the other walls when the one or more attachment mechanismsare released. The box also includes a flexible mat anchored to at leastone of the walls and configured to (1) extend outward from the box andonto a surface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasablewalls are released and (2) return into the box when the one or morereleasable walls are reattached. In some embodiments, the flexible matis configured to receive items that spill out of the storage box whenthe one or more releasable walls are released and force the items backinto the storage box as the flexible mat returns into the box. Incertain embodiments the flexible mat is anchored to one or more of thereleasable walls, and in some embodiments the mat is anchored to thebottom wall. Some embodiments have the walls and the flexible matattached in a manner that, when the box is empty, allows them to foldonto each other and lie flat in a stack. In some embodiments the boxincludes an additional panel to serve as a box lid, and in certainembodiments the additional panel is attached to at least one of the sidewalls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures. Itshould be understood that the drawings presented herein may not be drawnto scale. Any variations of these dimensions that will allow theinvention herein to function for its intended purpose are considered tobe within the scope of the invention. Thus, understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered as limiting in scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith a removable lid placed on top of the collapsible box.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith a removable lid removed from the top of the collapsible box.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith flat bottom panel snaps unsnapped, allowing a hinged panel to swingin an open position and the contents of the collapsible box to beviewed.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith two hinged panels folded down, exposing an attachment mechanism fora play mat within the box.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith two hinged panels folded down and a play mat attached to two hingedpanels and the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible boxwith all the hinged panels lying parallel to the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a collapsible boxwith all hinged panels lying parallel to the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the removable lid.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the removable lidand the collapsible box folded on top of itself before being placed intothe removable lid.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the collapsiblebox.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith a hinged lid open and one hinged panel unclasped from the flatbottom panel allowing the contents of the box to be viewed.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible boxwith a hinged lid open and two hinged panels lying parallel to the flatbottom panel.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith a hinged lid open, two of hinged panels folded down, and a play matattached to two hinged panels and the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible boxwith a hinged lid and all a hinged panels lying parallel with the flatbottom panel.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a collapsible boxwith a hinged lid and all hinged panels lying parallel with the flatbottom panel.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible boxwith all hinged panels and the flat bottom panel stored inside of ahinged lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of theinvention. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration.” Thus, any embodiment describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intentionto be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in thepreceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the followingdetailed description.

In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein likeparts are designated with like reference numerals throughout. As used inthe description herein and throughout, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and“the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

Exemplary embodiments of a collapsible box, such as a collapsible toystorage apparatus 100 (or “toy box”) are schematically depicted in FIGS.1-9. In the embodiments shown here, collapsible toy storage apparatus100 comprises four hinged panels—hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20,hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40—and a bottom flat bottom panel 50. Alsodepicted are a removable lid 101, a collapsed version of the box 102, acorner 103 formed by multiple panels, play mat snaps 104, flat bottompanel snaps 105, a play mat 106 (for toy box embodiments, or acollection mat for other storage embodiments), adhesive strips 107, andmagnets 108.

In reference to FIGS. 1-9, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 are, in mostembodiments, permanently attached to flat bottom panel 50, whereinhinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 can either lie parallel with flatbottom panel 50 or fold upward to be perpendicular to flat bottom panel50. Hinged panel 10 comprises panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d. Insome embodiments, panel edge 10 a attaches to panel edge 40 c with oneor more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107and/or magnets 108. Other types of attachments mechanisms, such as clothor plastic hooks on one panel looped around buttons on another panel,can also be used. Panel edge 10 b is permanently attached to panel edge50 d of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 10 c attaches to panel edge 20a with releasable mechanisms such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets108. In various embodiments, panel edge 10 d comes into contact withremovable lid 101. As shown here, hinged panel 10 further comprises playmat snaps 104 (or other connection mechanisms to attach the mat to thepanel) at each of the two corners of 10 d on the topside of hinged panel10.

Hinged panel 20 comprises panel edges 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d. Insome embodiments, panel edge 20 a attaches to panel edge 10 c withreleasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 andmagnets 108. Panel edge 20 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 cof flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 20 c is attached to panel edge 30 awith releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 andmagnets 108. In some embodiments, panel 20 d comes into contact withremovable lid 101. As shown here, hinged panel 20 further comprises playmat snaps 104 at each of the two corners of 20 d on the topside ofhinged panel 20.

In an exemplary embodiment, hinged panel 30 comprises panel edges 30 a,30 b, 30 c, and 30 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 30 a attaches topanel edge 20 c with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, suchas adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 30 b attaches topanel edge 50 b of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 30 c is permanentlyattached to panel edge 40 a. The connection between panel edges 30 c and40 a creates corner 103. In some embodiments panel edge 30 d comes intocontact with removable lid 101.

In an exemplary embodiment, hinged panel 40 comprises panel edges 40 a,40 b, 40 c and 40 d. Panel edge 40 a is permanently attached to paneledge 30 c. The connection between panel edges 40 a and 30 c createscorner 103. As shown here, panel edge 40 b is attached to panel edge 50a of flat bottom panel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge40 c is attached to panel edge 10 a with one or more releasableattachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Insome embodiments, panel edge 40 d comes into contact with removable lid101.

In an exemplary embodiment, corner 103 of collapsible box 102 isconfigured by folding up hinged panel 40 and fastening bottom panelsnaps 105 attached to panel edge 40 b to bottom panel snaps 105 on paneledge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50. Once corner 103 is formed, uprightconfiguration of collapsible box 102 is completed by pulling play mat106 in towards corner 103 wherein magnets 108 automatically aid inaligning hinged panels 10 and 20. As shown here, collapsible box 102 canthen be stored by placing removable lid 101 on top of collapsible box102 completing collapsible toy storage apparatus 100.

Collapsible box 102 is taken apart by pulling down hinged panels 10 and20, which removes the connection between one or more releasableattachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108 thathold them in place, unsnapping flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold uphinged panel 40 and successively folding hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and40 on top of flat bottom panel 50. In this embodiment, once the hingedpanels are all folded onto flat bottom panel 50, collapsible box 102 canbe placed inside removable lid 101 for storage.

Collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is in complete configuration whenremovable lid 101 covers configured collapsible box 102 providing bothstructural support to collapsible box 102 and containing the itemsinside. In this embodiment, hinged panel 10 and hinged panel 40 arevisible, as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c.The edge of corner 103 is also visible (see FIG. 1).

In an exemplary embodiment, removable lid 101 is removed fromcollapsible box 102 allowing a user to view the items inside collapsiblebox 102, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as panel edges 10 a,10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c,and 40 d. The edge of corner 103 and play mat snap 104 of hinged panel20 are also visible (see FIG. 2; removable lid 101 not shown).

In some embodiments, removable lid 101 is removed; flat bottom panelsnaps 105 are unfastened from flat bottom panel 50 allowing hinged panel40 to be opened by swinging hinged panel 40 along corner 103, allowing auser to see the inside of collapsible box 102. This exposes play matsnaps 104 attached to panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50. Hingedpanels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d,20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d arealso shown (see FIG. 3; removable lid 101 not shown).

In an exemplary embodiment, removable lid 101 is removed; hinged panels10 and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage theone or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips107 and magnets 108. Panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottompanel 50 while hinged panels 30 and 40 are still upright creating corner103. Play mat 106 can then be attached to play mat snaps 104 so a usercan play on top of it. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b,20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b,50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 4; removable lid 101 and playmat 106 are not shown).

In one embodiment, play mat 106 is attached to play mat snaps 104 onhinged panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Items on top ofplay mat 106 can be funneled into collapsible box 102 by pulling playmat 106 in towards corner 103. One or more releasable attachmentmechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets, 108 as well ashinged panels 30 and 40 with panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a,40 b, 40 c, and 40 d are also visible (see FIG. 5; play mat snaps 104and flat bottom panel 50 are not shown).

Hinged panels 10 and 20 can be pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40to disengage the one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such asadhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Hinged panels 10 and 20 can layparallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panelsnaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened andhinged panels 30 and 40 can also lay parallel to flat bottom panel 50.Play mat snaps 104 and panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b,20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b,50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 6).

Hinged panels 10 and 20 may be pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40to disengage the one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such asadhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, hinged panels10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengagingflat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner103 is flattened, and hinged panels 30 and 40 can also lay parallel toflat bottom panel 50. As shown here, collapsible box 102 is then flippedalong the vertical axis to show flat bottom panel snaps 105 on paneledge 50 a. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d,30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d arealso shown (see FIG. 7; adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108 are notshown).

In some embodiments, removable lid 101 is removed from collapsible box102 (see FIG. 8, collapsible box 102 not shown).

In some embodiments, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 are folded ontoflat bottom panel 50 to allow collapsible box 102 to be placed intoremovable lid 101 allowing a user to minimally stow collapsible toystorage apparatus 100 in its collapsed configuration when not used foritem storage (see FIG. 9; hinged panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and flat bottompanel 50 are not shown).

Other exemplary embodiments of the collapsible toy storage apparatus 100are schematically depicted in FIGS. 10-15. In the embodiments shownhere, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 comprises four hingedpanels—hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20, hinged panel 30, hinged panel40—and flat bottom panel 50. Also depicted here is an additional panelserving as a hinged lid 60, corner 103, play mat snaps 104, flat bottompanel snaps 105, play mat 106, one or more releasable attachmentmechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108, and brim of thebox lid 109.

In reference to FIGS. 10-15, hinged panels 10 and 20 are, in mostembodiments, permanently attached to flat bottom panel 50, hinged panel40 and hinged lid 60 are permanently attached to hinged panel 30 whereinhinged panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and hinged lid 60 can either lay parallelwith flat bottom panel 50 or fold to be perpendicular to flat bottompanel 50.

Hinged panel 10 comprises panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d. Insome embodiments, panel edge 10 a attaches to panel edge 40 c with oneor more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107and magnets 108. Panel edge 10 b is permanently attached to panel edge50 d of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 10 c attaches to panel edge 20a with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesivestrips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, panel edge 10 d comesinto contact with panel edge 60 d of additional panel serving as ahinged lid 60 and the brim of the lid 109 folds over.

As shown here, hinged panel 10 further comprises play mat snaps 104 ateach of the two corners of panel edge 10 d on the topside of hingedpanel 10. Hinged panel 20 comprises panel edges 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20d. Panel edge 20 a attaches to panel edge 10 c with one or morereleasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 andmagnets 108. Other types of attachments mechanisms, such as cloth orplastic hooks on one panel looped around buttons on another panel canalso be used. Panel edge 20 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 cof flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 20 c is attached to panel edge 30 awith adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In various embodiments, panel20 d comes into contact with panel edge 60 a of hinged lid 60 and thebrim of the lid 109 folds over. As shown here, hinged panel 20 furthercomprises play mat snaps 104 (or other connection mechanisms to connectthe mat to the panel) at each of the two corners of panel edge 20 d onthe topside of hinged panel 20.

Hinged panel 30 comprises panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d. Insome embodiments, panel edge 30 a attaches to panel edge 20 c withreleasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 andmagnets 108. Panel edge 30 b attaches to panel edge 50 b of flat bottompanel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge 30 c ispermanently attached to panel edge 40 a. The connection between paneledges 30 c and 40 a creates corner 103. Panel edge 30 d is permanentlyattached to panel edge 60 b of hinged lid 60.

Hinged panel 40 comprises panel edges 40 a, 40 b, 40 c and 40 d. Paneledge 40 a is permanently attached to panel edge 30 c. In someembodiments, this connection between panel edges 40 a and 30 c createscorner 103. Panel edge 40 b is attached to panel edge 50 a of flatbottom panel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge 40 c isattached to panel edge 10 a with one or more releasable attachmentmechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 40 dcomes into contact with panel edge 60 c of hinged lid 60 and the brim ofthe lid 109 folds over.

In an exemplary embodiment, flat bottom panel 50 comprises panel edges50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d. Panel edge 50 a connects to panel edge 40 bwith flat bottom panel snaps 105 on the underside of flat bottom panel50. Panel edge 50 b connects to panel edge 30 b with flat bottom panelsnaps 105 on the underside of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 50 c ispermanently attached to panel edge 20 b. Panel edge 50 d is permanentlyattached to panel edge 10 b. As shown here, flat bottom panel 50 furthercomprises play mat snaps 104 at the four corners on the topside of theflat bottom panel 50 wherein play mat 106 can either be fastened to orunfastened from.

Hinged lid 60 comprises panel edges 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, and 60 d. In someembodiments, panel edge 60 a comes into contact with panel edge 20 d andthe brim of the lid 109 folds over. Panel edge 60 b is permanentlyattached to panel edge 30 d. Panel edge 60 c comes into contact withpanel edge 40 d and the brim of the lid 109 folds over. Panel edge 60 dcomes into contact with panel edge 10 d and the brim of the lid 109folds over. The brim of the lid 109 is attached to panel edges 60 a, 60c, and 60 d. As shown here, corner 103 of collapsible toy storageapparatus 100 is configured by folding up hinged panel 40 and thenfastening bottom panel snaps 105 attached to panel edge 40 b to bottompanel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50 as well asfolding up hinged panel 30 and then fastening bottom panel snaps 105attached to panel edge 30 b to bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 bof flat bottom panel 50. Once corner 103 is formed, uprightconfiguration of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is completed bypulling play mat 106 in towards corner 103, wherein magnets 108automatically aid in aligning hinged panels 10 and 20.

In an exemplary embodiment, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 canthen be stored by placing hinged lid 60 on top of hinged panels 10, 20,30 and 40 completing collapsible toy storage apparatus 100. When not inuse hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20 and flat bottom panel 50 can beseparated from hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40, and hinged lid 60 bypulling down hinged panels 10 and 20, which removes the connectionbetween the releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips107 and magnets 108 that hold them in place with hinged panels 30 and40, unsnapping the flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold up hingedpanels 30 and 40 and successively folding hinged panels 10, and 20 ontoflat bottom panel 50 as well as folding hinged panels 30, and 40 ontohinged lid 60. Folded hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20, and flat bottompanel 50 can be placed inside the brim of the lid 109 with hinged panel30, hinged panel 40 and hinged lid 60 for storage.

In an exemplary embodiment, hinged lid 60 of collapsible toy storageapparatus 100 is closed when a user pulls the brim of lid 109 onto paneledges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panel 10 and hinged panel 40 arevisible, as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c.The edge of corner 103 is also visible (see FIG. 10; panel edges 10 d,20 d, and 40 d are not shown).

Hinged lid 60 of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is opened when auser pulls the brim of lid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40d. As shown here, hinged panel 40 is opened by unsnapping flat bottompanel snaps 105 that connect panel edges 40 b and 50 a. Both of theseactions allow a user to see the contents of collapsible toy storageapparatus 100. Play mat snaps 104 are exposed on hinged panel 20 andflat bottom panel 50. Hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as paneledges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d,40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d are also shown (see FIG. 11).

Hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of the lid 109 away frompanel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. In this embodiment, hinged panels 10and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengageadhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Accordingly, panels 10 and 20 canlay parallel with flat bottom panel 50 while panels 30 and 40 are stillupright creating corner 103. Furthermore, play mat 106 can be attachedto play mat snaps 104 so a user can play on top of it. Panel edges 10 a,10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a,40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG.12).

In an exemplary embodiment, play mat 106 is attached to play mat snaps104 on panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Items on top ofplay mat 106 can be funneled towards corner 103 by pulling play mat 106in towards corner 103. One or more releasable attachment mechanisms,such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108, and brim of the lid 109 aswell as hinged panels 30 and 40, hinged lid 60 with panel edges 30 a, 30b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, and 60 d arealso visible (see FIG. 13; play mat snaps 104 and flat bottom panel 50are not shown).

In some embodiments, hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of lid109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panels 10 and 20are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the releasableattachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Asshown here, hinged panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottompanel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold paneledge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened. Then, by disengaging flatbottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 30 b to 50 b, hinged panels30 and 40 as well as hinged lid 60 can be separated from hinged panels10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Play mat snaps 104 and paneledges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c,30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown(see FIG. 14).

In some embodiments, hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of thelid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panels 10 and20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage thereleasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 andmagnets 108. In this embodiment, hinged panels 10 and 20 lay parallelwith flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened. Then, bydisengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 30 b to 50b, hinged panels 30 and 40 as well as hinged lid 60 can be separatedfrom hinged panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50.Accordingly, collapsible toy storage apparatus 101 is then flipped alongthe vertical axis to show the flat bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge50 a and 50 b. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and50 d are also shown (see FIG. 15).

In an exemplary embodiment, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 iscompleted by folding hinged panels 10, 20, 30 and 40, and flat bottompanel 50 into the hinged lid 60 (see FIG. 16).

Thus, specific embodiments of a collapsible toy storage apparatus andmethods to employ such apparatus have been disclosed. It should beapparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage box having: five or more panels formingat least four side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one ormore of the side walls are releasable walls, each held in place by oneor more releasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wallto release from the other walls when the one or more attachmentmechanisms are released; and a flexible mat anchored to at least one ofthe walls and configured to: extend outward from the box and onto asurface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasable wallsare released; and return into the box when the one or more releasablewalls are reattached.
 2. The storage box of claim 1, wherein theflexible mat is configured to: receive items that spill out of thestorage box when the one or more releasable walls are released; andforce the items back into the storage box as the flexible mat returnsinto the box.
 3. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat isanchored to at least one of the releasable walls.
 4. The storage box ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible mat is anchored to at least two of thereleasable walls.
 5. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexiblemat is anchored to the bottom wall.
 6. The storage box of claim 1,wherein the panels and the flexible mat are attached in a manner that,when the box is empty, allows them to fold onto each other and lie flatin a stack.
 7. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the box furthercomprises an additional panel to serve as a box lid.
 8. The storage boxof claim 7, wherein the additional panel is attached to at least one ofthe side walls.